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nJohn observed the inside of the restaurant with his spiritual sense. There, Yuri tearfully ate her ramen, her grandfather gently patting her shoulder as she did.

n“Hah… I really need to break this habit of mine.” John muttered and then pulled out his phone to check the time.

nIt was around 5 PM now. Far longer than he intended to stay out. And, from looking at Hana’s channel, it seemed like there were only a couple of hours left before Rin would start streaming.

n“And I still didn’t grab Beta her coffee and donuts…” John let out a long sigh.

nAt the moment, he was standing at the back of the restaurant shop, concealing himself with his powers. The sun was setting, turning the blue sky a deep orange color. Like a nostalgic evening from the distant past.

nJohn tucked his hands into his pockets and leaned against the shop, thinking about the girl seated inside with her grandfather.

nIt really was the usual affair. The skilled grandfather losing himself in his craft in order to protect and care for his beautiful granddaughter. The granddaughter putting on a harsh demeanor to hide the hurt she was quietly carrying around after her parents’ death.

nAnd, like the busybody he was, John couldn’t just leave them alone and made a meal to help resolve their karma and emotions. To remind them of the bittersweet memories and give them the strength to walk forward.

nMuffled sniffles. Minato quietly reassuring Yuri.

nSeeing that everything was taken care of there and that it would be alright, John decided to leave. “…That should be enough to settle the karma here, right?”

nHe had gotten wrapped up with the two because of that chance encounter and his actions, but with this it should be resolved. Glancing back one more time, John warped away, heading to the nearest Starbox.

nAfter all, while he had resolved those two’s issues, there was still the guillotine hanging over his head about forgetting his beloved daughter’s coffee and pastries…

n—–AI|IA—–

nBeta let out a sigh and stared out the window.

nThe sun was sinking, causing orange hues to dye the office.

n“…Father meddled in something again.”

nNot a question, but a declaration.

nBeta knew her father’s personality well enough by now to guess what had happened.

nThe crimson-haired beauty glanced in the corner and muttered, “And Alpha has yet to return. Considering that the stream is soon but was properly scheduled, Miss Rin and her mother should have returned home to prepare.”

nIn short, regardless of her father’s current location and Eldest Sister’s whereabouts, the important business affairs were settled.

nStill…

nBeta sighed and then stood up, warping to the lounge. Walking over to the coffee machine, she waved her hand, filling the pot with water. That done, Beta picked up a filter and scooped in some ground coffee beans from a tin nearby. Making sure there weren’t any stray pieces falling off from the side, she placed it into the coffee machine. With that, she turned on the machine and leaned against the countertop to wait.

nAs she did, she stared out the window at the orange city.

nA different landscape. Unlike the grandiose floating pavilions or the endless plains, this was a city of hubris and innovation. Despite being so frail and powerless, the mortals here still sought to reach into the stars… And had, according to what she gleaned from the repository of knowledge radiating in the air.

nEven so, it was fragile. So, so fragile. Enough to where a single outer sect disciple could destroy the entire city within a few hours, and the nations in a few days.

nBut at the same time, that was its charm.

n“Was this why Father always wanted to return?” Beta muttered as she stared into the distance.

nIt was true that there were people who were selfish in this world. It was an inevitable fact that there would be people who would step upon others to achieve their goals and ambitions.

nHowever, as a whole, the mortals in this world banded together. Order was established without power. Promises, agreements, and ingrained beliefs were preventing them from simply killing each other for a short term good. Instead, there was a collaborative effort.

nRelaxed.

nThat was the atmosphere here in this world. A place where there were still minor evils, but there were no devastatingly powerful beings vying against each other to obtain the right of existence.

nA peaceful and tiny planet that positively affected one’s character as a result of the people living there. Something that neither Alpha nor John had realized, even while they were acting different from how they had been in the past.

nA soft click. The coffee machine finished with its brewing.

nBeta turned around and absently poured herself a cup while staring out into the distance.

nThis was… pleasant.

nNot having to deal with the bloodshed and violence. Spending time sifting through paperwork and observing the accumulated repository of knowledge established by the mortals in this world. Seeing the boundless creativity that was present, the wistful hopes and dreams of what could be instead of trying make a single path the ultimate destination.

nAnd then there were people like Miss Rin and her mother. Ordinary mortals struggling their hardest to survive who would have been lost to the dark otherwise. As well as her Master- No, her ‘Father’ who had reverted back to his younger years.

nBeta sipped on her cup of coffee and muttered, “It would be nice if this could continue.”

nSpending idle days helping others achieve their dreams instead of ambitions. Spreading joy and aid instead of fear and ruin.

nOf course, there were the foolish mortals who did not know any better and dared to act uppity with the supposed veil of anonymity, but even that was cute. Like a toddler playing at being a tiger.

n“…I wish Mistress and Omega were here as well.” Sipping her coffee again, Beta couldn’t help but voice her thoughts.

nHow nice would it be?

nInstead of worrying about those damnable old immortals and annoying upstarts who would take it as a sign of weakness and seek to usurp her Father’s authority and position, they could simply enjoy life together.

nBeta could play games with her cute younger sister. The two of them could laugh at Eldest Sister’s clumsiness together. And then Mistress could finally lower her frosty guard and show her warm side.

nMoreover, in this peaceful world where there was a lack of heavenly tribulation and planetary will that opposed immortals, there was a high likelihood of a child being born without issue between her Father and Mistress.

nAn adorable baby brother or sister.

nIf a brother, Beta hoped that he would not inherit Father’s troublesome karma… Though she had the suspicion that a son born to such beautiful parents would inevitably lead to lady troubles down the line.

nIf a sister, however… Beta hoped that she could be like Miss Rin. Bright and cheerful, naïve to the world and looking primarily at the light within people instead of the darkness like Beta and her current sisters.

nA child born without having to fight for their life. One who could love life and live free.

nAnd if so, perhaps down the line, even Beta herself could-

nA soft chime. The sound of the elevator sliding open. Shortly after that, a male voice called out. “Beta?”

nBeta looked over.

nJohn walked out, carrying a tray of drinks in his left hand and a large paper bag in his right. He let out a wry chuckle and said, “Sorry. I really didn’t mean to keep you waiting on your coffee and food.”

nBeta was quiet for a moment, simply staring at her Father.

nWas it because he knew he did something wrong? John wouldn’t meet her gaze, and he shifted in place. Not only that, but his usually pristine white dress shirt was stained with sweat, showing his nervousness.

nCompared to the growingly distant and aloof figure he had been in the Three Realms, it was a distinct change. Instead of that person, he was similar to how he had been in his reckless youth. The times where Eldest Sister and herself were the ones who were responsible for keeping Father alive- No, back then it had been keeping ‘Master’ alive.

nBut this was different still.

nThe calm that he possessed in his later years after meeting Mistress and settling down mixed with the mischievous antics and recklessness he had when it was just the three of them.

nA side of her father that she had never seen, but one that she liked more than the others in the past.

nJohn blinked, tilting his head. “…Beta?”

nShe shook her head and then stepped forward, smoothing her expression.

nEven while she was happy, she couldn’t let that show. After all, her Father had a tendency to take a mile if you gave him an inch, even if he didn’t intend it.

nSo, instead of welcoming him back, Beta narrowed her eyes and said, “You are late.”

nJohn raised his bag. “…I brought donuts though?”

nBeta sighed and walked over, taking the bag from him. After that, she pointedly walked into the elevator and spun around to look at him.

nJohn followed after her, avoiding her gaze, and walked to the other corner. Still, his eyes kept glancing towards her, as if to gauge her reaction.

nBeta felt like laughing at the childish antics, but instead she kept a straight face and said, “Prepare yourself, Father. Since you were gone so long, I will punish you accordingly for shirking your duties.”

nJohn sighed. “I got it. I’ll make sure to stay up late tonight and start planning for the new year.”

n“So long as you understand.”

n“Yeah, yeah…” John pulled out a coffee from the tray and plopped a straw in the cup, taking a long sip. “Whatever you say, Betty.”

nBeta froze and then glanced over at her father.

nIt seemed that he didn’t realize it. And knowing him, it was definitely unintentional.

nEven so…

n‘Betty… was it?’

nA name that she hadn’t heard in ages. One that he only used a few times shortly after she was ‘born’ before they had to play their respective roles.

n“Eh?” John blinked, glancing over. “Are you… crying?”

n“Of course not.” Beta let out a sharp retort.

nAt that time, the elevator chimed, the doors sliding open as they reached the top floor.

nBeta immediately walked out, leaving her back to her father. “Now hurry up. There is a mountain of work to do to prepare for the future if you wish to maintain this peaceful life, Father… Not to mention the fact that Miss Rin’s first proper stream begins in a few hours.”

nJohn let out a sigh. “Right, right. Don’t have to tell me twice.” Saying that, he walked over to the side, conjuring a chair and making himself comfortable before pulling out a laptop.

nAs he did that, Beta went back to her own desk. Conveniently, the two were positioned in a way that John couldn’t see Beta’s face.

nSo, while rifling in the bag for a donut, Beta took the chance and brushed the dust out of her eyes.

n…Yes. Dust.

nBecause there was no way that someone like her had teared up from being called a pet name by her father.

nAbsolutely none.

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